Day Highlight: Gazing upon massive Andean condors catching thermal updrafts over the sheer precipices of Colca Canyon.
Pick up from the hotel between 3 to 3:30 am and drive to the town of Chivay, which is about 4 hours drive from Arequipa. On the way, we will stop in the town of Yanque where we will have breakfast at approx. 06:30 am. Then we will travel for 1 hour to the Cruz del Condor, which is the best place to see the Canyon and the famous Andean condor birds, we will have 40 minutes to see the flight of the condors and the depth of the canyon. Approx. at 9:30 a.m. we will arrive at the San Miguel viewpoint, and immediately we will start the hike down into the canyon for 3 hours passing from 3,300m. to 2100m. inside the canyon.
Around 12:30 pm. we will arrive at the first suspension bridge, rest and then continue our hike for 30 minutes more. We will arrive at the community of San Juan de Chucho for lunch. After lunch, we will continue our hike to witness the villages of Malata and Cosñirhua, at about 5 pm, we will arrive at the Oasis Sangalle, a quiet and alluring place at an altitude of about 1900m. where we will savor its swimming pool, surrounded by vegetation, at the end of the day we will rest in adobe bungalows, typical of the area.
Day Technical Data:
Timing: Early morning start with well-spaced afternoon transitions.
Terrain: Variable mountain stone paving, compacted soil paths, and loose gravel slopes.
Physical Effort: Moderate to demanding exertion adapted to traveler acclimatization.
Transport Profile: Private van pickup from Cusco hotel and dedicated linking transfers.
